Quercus alba: White Oak: ENH-699/ST541, 12/2018

Abstract

White oak is a long-lived, slow-growing tree, reaching 60 to 100 feet in height with a spread of 50 to 80 feet in its native bottomland soil. Old specimens can be massive, growing to be several hundred years old. Since trunks can be six feet in diameter leave plenty of room for this tree in the landscape. The trunk flares out at the base lifting sidewalks and curbing if planted in tree lawns less than eight feet wide. The red fall color is fairly reliable year to year and is outstanding among the oaks in USDA hardiness zones 8a and colder areas. Brown leaves may be held on the tree into the early part of the winter.